Bush Finds Party Faithful In an Ugly Mood

WSJ ^ | 2/12/04 | JACKIE CALMES

[TomServo]

WASHINGTON -- For all the attention paid to partisanship in this town, the more interesting -- and consequential -- fights here in this election year will pit Republicans against Republicans.

A new level of tension is emerging between President Bush and the congressional Republicans he expects to deliver his election-year agenda. Among the sore points, Mr. Bush's initiative to give legal status to immigrant workers who are here illegally, a bid to attract Latino voters, instead has roiled the party's conservative faithful. Republicans have been put on the defensive over the President's policies on Iraq. And record deficits and spending suddenly have Republicans questioning his fiscal stewardship.

[TXBSAFH]

The party faithful are in a difficult mood. GWB is the best one running that can seriously win, but with immigration and the out of control spending there is a lot to concern a conservative.

[anniegetyourgun]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

Someone needs to tell Ed that those think tanks and associations are funded by conservatives.

[TomServo]

bttt..

[miloklancy]

No doubt Bush has some things to iron with his fellow conservatives on his immigration plan. He definitely needs to back off this, regardless of what Karl Rove tells him. However before folks start coming out with accusations of RINOism and such, all Republicans need to be focused on the disasterous consequences of Bush losing the election. The assault on the second ammendment that occured under Clinton will only continue and get worse if a Dem gets back in charge. Our intelligence infrastructure will also only further deteriorate, as it has under all of the last several Democratic presidents. Also it is clear the Dems do not take the War On Terror seriously and if they have the White House, their disinterest will only embolden people like Osama Bin Laden. A social agenda of forced secularism will also get worse under a Democrat. As conservatives we must voice our objections to the President's policies where they are wrong, such as the immigration plan. But also as conservatives we must reward Bush for his strong leadership in combating terrorists and give him a second term this year.

[steve50]

Someone needs to tell Ed that those think tanks and associations are funded by conservatives.

No, they're funded by the special interests. Their main function seems to be to promote the spin and furnish paychecks for any of the good ole boys that get kicked out of office.

[Consort]

It's OK to be concerned; it's not OK to be foolish.

[sushiman]

" Bush has some things to iron with his fellow conservatives on his immigration plan. "

Bush is NO conservative .

[MissAmericanPie]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

How amazingly dense. It really points up the problem when elites completely lose touch, like the average voter even stops to consider, think tanks, as a target in dishing out their flustration and disappointment.

[anniegetyourgun]

Click here.

[miloklancy]

That is highly debatable. And keep in mind that not all conservatives are the same. There isn't a blue print for the American conservative. Bush IS conservative on tax policy and security, which for me are the most important issues out there.

[sauropod]

Thass ok. I expect the Star Chamber to show up now and start hassling people.

[veronica]

Anyone in the GOP who turns on Bush and makes life easier for Kerry is a traitor IMO. Lives hang in the balance here, as well the future of America. The stakes are huge and I have no use for idiot turncoats.

[Coop]

The party faithful are in a difficult mood. GWB is the best one running that can seriously win, but with immigration and the out of control spending there is a lot to concern a conservative.

There's also a lot to please a conservative. Welcome to the forum.

[sushiman]

The future of America ? Your great-granchildren will be speaking Spanish ! LOL !

[uncbob]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

What a boob to think the Grass Roots ain't poed

Rove better realize it was the hatred of Clinton/Gore and not Bush's Compassionate Conservatism BS that enegized the base

He is like that boob Gingrich who still thinks he engineered the 94 revolt of the voters that gave the GOP control of congress

[snooker]

We do have a choice, a man of character or the botox gigolo. You decide. I do not see how any conservative could even consider a vote for Kerry or to stay home. The downside would be to great.

While Bush has a lot of things to be improved, he is by far the best choice. If the war on terror is allowed to continue under Bush, we may see an actual end or conclusion. Put yourselves in the terrorist shoes the day after the election. Try two takes, Bush wins, Kerry wins. You decide which outcome means the terrorists win.

[sushiman]

To borrow a phrase :

Bush Pisses Up The Conservative's Sleeve... Just Like His Daddy Did!

[sauropod]

I read something yesterday or the day before that quoted someone in the WH saying they were baffled as to why the "base" was po'ed. "Bush is doing everything he said he was going to do" or some such hog slop.

UnKerrying believable.

[Reelect President Dubya]

Sunset of the AWB is my lithmus test.

I don't care about political rhetoric.

Bush can pretend he would sign renewal of the AWB if that helps him politically.

But if Congress sends one to him and he actually does sign it, I will sit out the next Presidential election.

[TomGuy]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman.

Well, not exactly, Ed. Rove and Co got an ear full of complaining from the Congressmen recently in a party meeting. Those elected reps complained to Rove and Co against amnesty for illegals and out of control spending. Wake up, Ed. Wake up, Carl. Daddy Bush ignored the public view and earned early retirement. Son Bush is on the same path unless things change in a hurry.

[sauropod]

Yeah, but Gillespie and Rove know that the conservatives "have no place to go." Rove was heard saying that almost immediately after the election of 2000.

Gillespie took no questions after his speech at CPAC this year.

Very telling.

[mo]

You clearly forget how for eight loooong years Slick Willy and his wife pissed over all of us while their media whores kept telling us it was raining...the consequences of that deception are being paid for by the families whose loved one died 9/11. Lets not let the perfect be the enemy of the good here..

[hellinahandcart]

I'm so glad that Ed "Take No Questions" Gillespie has his ear to the ground. :P

[sauropod]

Certainly tells you what KR, EG, and the Party think of the "base" doesn't it?

[sauropod]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1076554/posts

[DManA]

Eddy's whistling in the dark.

[The_Victor]

"I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

The cacophony from the democRATs will get the Republicans out in November. Heck, their lie have me pi$$ed off already, and it's not even tax day.

[hellinahandcart]

Haven't you heard? We're not the base.

Even though I have voted three times so far for a Bush, I'm not part of the base.

[DManA]

Yes decide. Just remember that by voting for Mr. Bush you are choosing a Federal Government that consumes 50% GDP (according to his latest budget ).

[mewzilla]

Oh, for Pete's sake. Get the guy elected and argue later!!

[Consort]

Bush Pisses Up The Conservative's Sleeve... Just Like His Daddy Did!

Wear sleeveless garments and chill out.

[snooker]

Yes, I would agree. But I would still rather talk to Bush and try to get what we want than to try and talk to Kerry. Between all the Jane Fonda White House parties, I doubt Kerry will give you the time of day. There is also the very real prospect of MA style gun control 'improvements'.

[MamaTexan]

Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground.

Good - Maybe someone will stomp on your stupid head!

But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems.

Translation: They're pi$$ed, but we still have the 'Hold your nose and vote' crowd.

[snooker]

I remember the Clinton budget which was going to take 80% of all income. So we are making improvements. VBG

[mo]

Frankly with a Green third party in 2000, Gore still won the popular vote. There will be NO third party this time around. Much of this should be viewed as the real cost of reaching to the center. We can play hard after the elections-most importantly on the COurt.

[sauropod]

I am not disagreeing with you.

[sauropod]

Hit post before i finished writing....

The question really is, how to get Mr. Bush to reign in the spending (including axeing the noxious Pills for Grandma program), deep-six the recent immigration proposal, etc.

I don't pretend to have the answer.

[BluH2o]

Among the sore points, Mr. Bush's initiative to give legal status to immigrant workers who are here illegally, a bid to attract Latino voters, instead has roiled the party's conservative faithful.

Speaking as a former Canadian, now U.S. citizen, who has voted Republican going back to Ford, I'm outraged that Bush would grant illegal immigrants amnesty. I served 3 years active duty in the Marines and lived in this country 10 years before taking out citizenship ... everything I did was legal and above board. Amnesty to illegal aliens is a slap in the face to those of us who did it the right way ... legally. There seems to be something about the term "illegal" that is lost on Washington politicians ... in both parties.

[sauropod]

The question is,"how?"

Or, shouldn't that have happened this term?

[TomServo]

Speaking as a former Canadian, now U.S. citizen,..

I didn't know that about you, Blu. Thanks ever so much for doing it the right way - and especially for your service to our Nation.

[zip]

From an ultra conservative that is 100% behind President Bush's foreign policy: IF I VOTE, I will have to hold my nose and pull the Bush lever. His domestic policies suck, to put it mildly. How a "conservative" can do all of the idiotic things that Bush is doing is beyond my comprehension, i.e. Budget busting, CFR, Kennedy's Education crap, BENDING OVER AND GRABBING HIS ANKLES FOR ILLEGALimmigrants and on and on and on. What part of illegal doesn't he understand?

Can anyone explain this idiocy?

[steve50]

Well, not exactly, Ed. Rove and Co got an ear full of complaining from the Congressmen recently in a party meeting.

And iirc, these congressmen said they were catching 3 kinds of hades from their constituents, not the "think tanks".

[Swanks]

Anyone in the GOP who turns on Bush and makes life easier for Kerry is a traitor IMO

Bull. Bush is the traitor. You (and I) are taken advantage of election after election by these RINOs. And they know they can get away with it becuase most people take your view: Well, we have to kepp the other guys out. So the Pubs live and spend like Dems knowing they will wisper just enough of what you need to hear at election time. And the cycle of ignoring the Convervative base goes on for another four years.

better to blew 'em out of office for the longer view. If they realize their strategy has a price tag they will sober up for the next cycle. I will not vote for Bush if he walks on water between now and election day.

[DManA]

Maybe his budget was more honest. Bush's record of estimating cost is not too good.

[DM1]

"Anyone in the GOP who turns on Bush and makes life easier for Kerry is a traitor IMO. Lives hang in the balance here, as well the future of America. The stakes are huge and I have no use for idiot turncoats."
Well said! though i would ammend GOP to any conservative and real American who turns on Bush.
You have Liberals then you have real Americans ;)

[Dane]

The future of America ? Your great-granchildren will be speaking Spanish ! LOL !

As English becomes the world language.

You guys really have to get over your fear and hyperbole.

[veronica]

STAB IN THE BACK...

(Dems stabbing Bush and the US in the back in war time) AND NOT JUST DEMS apparently.

[zip]

'Hold your nose and vote' crowd.

There a he!! of a lot more of us than the WH understands (and maybe more of the "I am not going to vote" crowd). WAKE UP, ROVE.

[Dane]

BTW susuhiman, since you are such an English language defender shouldn't you change your screen name to "rawfishman".

Can't have any foreign words corrupt English you know.